Cultural water demand data including population, number of wells and the average well pumpage and surface water diversions by the municipal, industrial and agricultural sectors are shown in Table 3.8-8. Effluent generation including facility ownership, location, population served and not served, volume treated, disposal method and treatment level is shown on Table 3.8-9. Figure 3.8-11 shows the location of demand centers. A description of cultural water demand data sources and methods is found in Volume 1, Appendix A. More detailed information on cultural water demand is found in
Section 3.0.7. For information on gpcd and annual water demand by individual community water systems in this basin see ADWR's Community Water System Program annual water use reporting summary.

Population decreased in this basin 1980 to 2000. Projections suggest a minimal growth through 2030.

Total groundwater demand has decreased from 1971 to 2005 with an average of 25,700 AFA pumped in the period from 2001-2005.

Surface water diversions have also decreased from 1971 to 2005 with approximately 1,000 AFA diverted in the period from 1991 – 2005 for agricultural and municipal uses.

The majority of agricultural demand is along Highway 177, Highway 77 in Pinal County and along the San Pedro River in Pima and Cochise Counties.

The largest single demand for groundwater is industrial with an average of 15,900 AFA pumped in the period from 2001-2005.

There are numerous mines in the basin. The active Ray Mine north of Kearny, a small inactive mine in the vicinity of Hayden and numerous inactive mines including the Mammoth Mine and San Manuel Mine in the vicinity of Mammoth.

Municipal demand has remained relatively constant with an average of 2,300 AFA pumped in the period from 2001-2005. The town of Oracle is located at the western boundary of the basin. Wells associated with this town are in the Tucson Active Management Area at Oracle Junction.

As of 2005 there were 1,630 registered wells with a pumping capacity of less than or equal to 35 gpm and 398 wells with a pumping capacity of more than 35 gpm.

One facility, the Kearny Wastewater Treatment Facility, discharges wastewater to a golf course and two facilities recharge the aquifer through an unlined impoundment. These facilities are not permitted by the Department as Underground Storage Facilities.

Click to view Table 3.8-8 Cultural Water Demand in the Lower San Pedro Basin